Nut lock



Dec. 21 1926.

H. A. BOWERS Fifled August 28, 192.6

. (jme-nto@ zZ/ 50a/611 Cil Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

hllTED STATE@ HENRY A. BOWERS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

NUT LOCK.

Application filed August 28,` 1926A Serial No. 132,144.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in nut locks, and has for its object to provide a device of this character which is more especially adapted for use in connection with the nuts which are used upon the axles of wagons, carriages and other vehicles to retain the wheels in place on the axle spindles.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a nut lock of this character which is comparatively simple and inexpensive in its construction, which will effectively loch the nut against working loose even when the wheels are rotated baclrwemdly,I and which embodies novel features of construction whereby the nut is automatically re-` lease-d for rotation when a wrench is applied thereto.

l/Vith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel combinations and associations of the parts as will more fully appear as the description proceeds.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings in which, j

Figure 1 is a sectional view thro-ugh an axle nut which is provided with locking means embodying the invention, the nut being shown as locked in position on the threaded en-d of an axle spindle.

Figure 2 is an end view of the nut.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the nut with the latch in position thereon, showing the manner in which the wedge shaped lug on the wrench swings the plate upwardly to release the detent.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the special wrench which is used for operating the nut, and

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the nut and the locking means thereon.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicate-d on all of the views of the drawings by like reference characters.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings,- the numeral 1 designates the reduced and y threaded end of an axle spindle 2, both being of the conventional construction, with the exception that the threaded end 1 has a recess 3 therein. The axle nut A is formed with the usual rectangular portion 4 and flange 5.

A plate 6 is arranged on one of the flat sides of the polygonal portion of the nut. said plate being provi-ded at its outer end with an outwardly curved nose (i:L and the inner end of the plate being bifurcated, the arms of the bifurcation being bent to provide pivoteyes 6b which engage a transverse pin 7. Thispin 7 extends transversely across the nut and connects longitudinally extending flanges 8 on opposite sides thereof. A coil spring 9 surrounds the pin 7 between the two pivot eyes 6b. One end 9a of the spring is embedded in an opening formed in the flange of the nut', while they other end of the spring terminates in an arm 10 which projects along the outer face of the plate, said arm terminating in a detent 11 which extends through an opening in the plate 6 and is received within an opening 12 in the nut. The end of the detent 11 is adapted to project into the interior of the nut and to engage the recess 3 of `the threaded portion of the axle to loch the nut in operative position.

`The tension of the spring 9 normally tends to swing the arm 10 and plate 6 toward the nut and to hold the detent in operative position.

A special wrench such as that shown by Figure l, is adapted to be used for manipulating` the nut to screw it into or out of position. The head 13 of the wrench is formed with an opening 11 which is of a proper size and shape to fit over the polygonal end of the nut. The sides of the nut, with the exception of that one of the sides which is provided with the plate 6, are provided with longitudinally extending ribs 15, and the sides of the opening let in the head of the wrench are provided with corresponding notches 16. rlhis construction insures that the wrench will obtain a firm bearing on the nut. A wedge shaped lug 17 projects from the head of the wrench at one side of the opening 14 therein 'and this lug is forced under the plate 6 when ythe wrench is ap plied to the nut thereby automatically forcing the plate outwardly against the action of the spring 9 and moving the detent 11 into inoperative position. The end of the wedge shaped lug 17 is bifurcated at 17a to straddle the outer end of the detent 11, and a handle 18 which projects from the head of the wrench provides a means for forcibly manipulating the same to rotate the nut. The wrench can be readily applied to the nut and the wedge 17 then operates automatically to lift the plate 6 and move the detent into inoperative position. lith the detent in inoperative position the nut can be readily rotated to bring it into operative or inoperative position. When the nut is `in operative position it engages the shoulder at the outer end oit the axle spindle. It the wrench is then removed the detent ll will auton'mtically engage the recess 3 to lock the nut against rotation in either direction.

Having thus described my invention what l claim as new and desire Vto secure by Letters Patent is,

l. ln a nut lock, the combination With a threaded stem, ot a nut litted thereon and formed with a. lateral opening, a pair of spaced flanges extending longitudinally ot the nut on the exterior thereof, a transverse pin connecting the liange's, a plate pivotal'ly mounted on the pin, a spring arranged on the pin and engaging the plate to forceit yieldably against the nut, and a detent' projecting from the plate through the lateral opening ot the nut, said detent being Inovabl'e into and out ot operative engagement with the threaded stem by actuating the plate.

2. ln a nut lock, the combination with a threaded stein, a nut threaded thereon, Va plate pivotally mounted on the exterior of the nut, a spring engaging the plate to force it yieldably against the nut, said spring being tormed with an extension Which projects laterallyY from the plate and is movable into and out ot engagement with the threaded stem by actuation ot the plate.

3. In a nut lock, the combination with a threaded stem, a nut threaded thereon, a svinging plate mounted on the eXteriorof the nut and having an opening therein, and a `Wire spring engaging the plate to 'lorce it yieldably against the nut, one end of the wire spring being formed With an extension which projects through the opening of the plate and is movable into and out of operative engagement with the threaded stem by actuati'ngthe plate.

Ll. In a nut lock, the combination ivith a threaded stem, ot a nut threaded thereon. a transverse pin on the nut, a plate pivotally mounted on the' pin and a coil spring surrounding the pin, one end of the spring e:- tending. along the plate to hold the plate against the nut and terminating in a detent which projects laterally trom the plate and is movable into and out ot operative engage-- nient' with the threaded stem by actuating the plate.

In a nut lock, the combination ivitl a threaded stein, oit' a nut threaded thereon, a transverse pin on the nut, a plate pivotalljvv mounted on the pin and having' an opening therein, and a coil spring surrounding the pin, one end ot the spring extending along the plate to hold the plate aga-inst the nut and terniinating in a` laterally projecting detent which -xtends through the opening of the plate and is movable into and out of operative engagement with the threaded stein by actuating the plate.`

In testimony whereof I affix my signature. 

